Heathrow runway reopens after grassfire diverts 18 flights
Passengers advised to check flight status as airport restores normal operations following evening disruption
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Heathrow Airport temporarily shut down one of its runways on Wednesday after a grassfire erupted close to the airfield. The incident, reported shortly after 5:30pm, led to immediate flight diversions and delays for arriving aircraft.
London Fire Brigade crews arrived within minutes and worked alongside the airport’s own fire service. By 6:07pm, the blaze was under control, though not before it had destroyed roughly one hectare of grassland adjacent to the southern runway.
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Flights diverted across UK and Europe
Aviation News UK reported that at least 18 flights bound for Heathrow were rerouted. Five aircraft landed at Stansted, another five at Gatwick, and three at Manchester. Other diversions included Birmingham, Luton, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Cairo, and Billund in Denmark.
Passengers already at Heathrow shared images on social media showing smoke rising near the runway. Flight tracking services noted that some aircraft were held in the air while the fire was tackled.
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Airport confirms normal operations
Heathrow Airport issued a statement confirming that both runways had returned to full service. A spokesperson said the airport’s teams responded quickly to contain the fire, which they described as small. They thanked passengers for their patience and apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Earlier today, our teams acted quickly to safely resolve a small grass fire adjacent to the Southern Runway. Thanks to their swift response, both runways are now fully operational.
Heathrow Airport spokesperson
London Fire Brigade confirmed that firefighters from Heathrow, Hayes, and Feltham stations attended the scene. The brigade’s spokesperson said the airport’s own fire service provided support during the operation.
What passengers should do next
Heathrow has advised travellers to check the status of their flights before travelling to the airport. While normal operations have resumed, some delays may persist into the evening as schedules are adjusted.
Questions this report answers
+How long was the runway closed at Heathrow?
The runway was closed for roughly 90 minutes. London Fire Brigade arrived at 5:30pm and had the fire under control by 6:07pm, after which the runway reopened.
+Which airports took diverted flights from Heathrow?
Diverted flights landed at Stansted, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Luton, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Cairo, and Billund in Denmark. Eighteen flights were affected in total.
+Are flights still being delayed after the fire?
Heathrow has restored normal operations, but some delays may continue as schedules are adjusted. Passengers are advised to check their flight status before travelling.
+How much grassland was damaged in the fire?
London Fire Brigade reported that around one hectare of grassland near the southern runway was destroyed by the fire. The blaze was extinguished within 90 minutes.
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